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Preserving Your Memories:<br />
How to Preserve<br />
Your Synthetic Clothing
Introduction<br />
The collections of Hagley Museum and Library contain many “firsts” of clothing made from<br />
synthetic textile fabrics pioneered by the DuPont Company in the 1930s and later. Included are<br />
clothing made of rayon, nylon, Orlon®, Dacron®, Lycra® as well as wear-tested materials.<br />
In 2010, the museum received a conservation project support grant from the Institute of Museum<br />
and Library Services (IMLS) to survey the collection.<br />
This short <strong>brochure</strong> describes some of the tips we learned that will help you protect and preserve<br />
your keepsake clothing made of synthetic textile fabrics. It contains advice on simple things to do<br />
to care for your synthetic clothing and garments at home. For antique synthetic clothing collectors<br />
and small museums, or to address damage or repairs to your keepsake clothing, contact the<br />
American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (http://www.conservation-us.org)<br />
for textile conservators in your area.<br />
This late 1960s’ dress is<br />
made of the synthetic fiber<br />
Qiana® and was designed by<br />
Charles Kleibacker. Qiana®<br />
was introduced by DuPont<br />
in 1968 and combined<br />
the feel and appearance<br />
of silk with the easy-care<br />
qualities of polyester.
This ca. 1950s child’s set of<br />
matching sweater, cap, and<br />
booties is made of DuPont Orlon®<br />
which has the feel of wool.<br />
Characteristics of Synthetic Textile<br />
Fibers Worthy Of Note<br />
Synthetic textile fibers have characteristics that differ from those of natural fibers, and must be<br />
understood and distinguished from each other in order to properly care for them. Most clothing<br />
is no longer made from pure, single fibers, but is made from blended fabrics, a process with<br />
several useful characteristics used to maximum advantage by the fabric industry. Blends between<br />
synthetic and natural fibers tend to share the characteristics of the individual fibers. However,<br />
though a 100 percent polyester shirt may be said to be resistant to moths, a ladies’ gown made of<br />
65/35 polyester/cotton blend may not be.<br />
Rayon fabric is highly moisture absorbent. It wrinkles easily and becomes weak when wet. It is<br />
sensitive to mildew, silverfish, and other clothes insects.<br />
Nylon fabric is exceptionally strong and durable, with high resistance to abrasion. Unlike rayon, it<br />
has low moisture absorbency. Nylon has a tendency to pill. It is resistant to moth and mildew but<br />
sensitive to ants and roaches. It absorbs and holds body oils, easily collects static electricity, but<br />
retains its shape very well. It yellows and weakens when exposed to light.<br />
Polyester fabric is strong and durable both wet and dry. It is resistant to degradation by chemical<br />
bleaches, mildew, and insects. Polyester is resistant to wrinkling, abrasion, shrinkage and<br />
stretching, but easily collects static electricity. It has a tendency to pill, and it is sensitive to heat.<br />
It also absorbs body oils.<br />
Acrylic fabric has lower durability (compared to polyester and nylon), with a tendency to pill. It is<br />
soft and warm with a wool-like feel. Because it drains easily, it dries quickly. It is wrinkle-resistant<br />
and retains its shape very well. It is resistant to mildew and insects but has a tendency to melt at<br />
medium to high temperatures. It has exceptional resistance to fading in sunlight.
Handling<br />
To preserve your synthetic clothing for future generations:<br />
• Limit handling to the barest minimum.<br />
• Wash your hands thoroughly before handling clothing.<br />
• Examine clothing to understand its strengths and weaknesses before handling.<br />
• During handling, keep clothing away from lotion, make-up, perspiration, and body oils.<br />
• Always support clothing on a flat rigid surface, especially when moving it.<br />
• Large items should be handled by two or more people.<br />
• Rayon is weakest when wet. Handle wet rayon gently, and do not pull, tear or abrade.<br />
Useful Tips<br />
• Vacuum fragile clothing through a nylon screen.<br />
• When folding clothes, use acid-free tissue to create gentle folds to avoid sharp creases.<br />
• Hang clothes on thick hangers with rounded muslin-covered polyester batting.<br />
• Hang garments in cotton wardrobes.<br />
• Store items in gray acid-free boxes with lids.<br />
• Support items on a flat rigid surface.<br />
• Provide cotton twill slings for lifting objects.<br />
To clean fragile clothing,<br />
vacuum through a nylon<br />
screen as shown on the<br />
right side of the photo.
Storage<br />
Most people simply hang their clothing in the closet. This is fine if this is a garment that will be<br />
worn again soon, but what about long-term storage for that beautiful polyester wedding or prom<br />
dress If clothes and garments have been worn or used in any way, they should be cleaned first<br />
to remove sweat, lipstick, cosmetics, body oils, and perfume before they are put into long-term<br />
storage. If they are not removed from the clothing, these contaminants will change color over<br />
time and may permanently stain the fabric. Check the garment manufacturer’s label for correct<br />
washing and pressing instructions. For safe and proper cleaning, consult a textile conservator at<br />
http://www.conservation-us.org.<br />
There is less stress on clothes if they are laid flat for storage, as they may be too fragile to hang<br />
from any parts. Some garments may be too heavy to hang from shoulders or straps, or they may<br />
droop if left hanging for a long period of time. Other clothing should never be hung; knits will<br />
stretch and fray at the hanging points, and may develop holes.<br />
When folding clothes,<br />
use acid-free tissue to<br />
create gentle folds and<br />
avoid sharp creases.
Storage Boxes and Containers<br />
Clothes sometimes return from the dry cleaners in clear plastic bags. It is also common for people<br />
to keep their garments in clear plastic boxes or containers. The rationale for using clear plastic<br />
bags and containers is that they provide easy visual access to the contents without having to<br />
open every bag to find a particular dress. Their use for long-term storage, however, should be<br />
discouraged because:<br />
• They allow light through, which can make the clothing fade.<br />
• Over time, certain plastic storage materials will degrade or give off gases that<br />
will harm the clothes.<br />
• Air-tight plastic storage containers are good only if they remain moisture tight. If they leak,<br />
moisture build-up inside them will lead to mold growth inside the containers.<br />
• In the event of a water leakage within the storage area, plastic boxes will keep the objects<br />
sitting in a pool of water, with bad consequences from dye migration.<br />
It is better to store items in gray acid-free cardboard boxes with lids. Boxes can be labeled with a<br />
photograph of their contents. In the event of a leak, acid-free cardboard boxes will absorb some<br />
of the water and keep the clothing drier. They allow some air circulation since they are not air<br />
tight. Insects can sometimes crawl into cardboard boxes, so it is important to keep the storage<br />
area clean. If items have to be hung for storage, you should use full-enclosure, breathable cotton<br />
canvas wardrobes. Tyvek® storage bags are also recommended.<br />
Store items in gray acidfree<br />
boxes with lids.
Storage Procedures<br />
• Store all clothing flat whenever possible, with layers of acid-free tissue padding to separate<br />
parts of the clothing and to hold up its shape and reduce creases.<br />
• Hang items only if they are strong enough to hang safely. Use thick hangers that have been<br />
rounded with muslin-covered polyester batting or acid-free tissue. Though several items<br />
may be hung side-by-side in a wardrobe, items should be separated from each other inside<br />
protective Tyvek® storage bags so that they do not rub against each other.<br />
• When removing a hanging garment from a hanger, always remove the hanger from the<br />
bottom of the garment to avoid stretching the neck line.<br />
• If long pants, shorts, or skirts are clipped at their waists and hung lengthwise, clips should<br />
be applied over protective cotton cloth to avoid making clip holes. Use plastic nylon clips<br />
instead of metal ones to avoid the corrosion that can occur with high humidity.<br />
• Never use metal pins or clips to hold or fold items. Where clothing manufacturers have<br />
provided loops inside a skirt and blouse, use these hooks instead of shoulder straps or necks.<br />
• Fold all knitted items and place them on flat, rigid surfaces.<br />
• Rolling rayon on tubes with acid-free tissue inter-layers will help reduce wrinkles.<br />
• Hang or lay clothing by natural folds and seams to avoid ruining a garment’s shape.<br />
• Store items full-size and unfolded. If clothes have to be folded because of space<br />
constraints, use acid-free tissue rolls, tubes, and pads to create gentle folds, and avoid<br />
sharp creases.<br />
• Store objects in individual boxes as much as possible. If several objects are stored in the<br />
same box, keep larger and heavier objects on the bottom. Avoid crushing by placing items<br />
on platforms or divider trays. Attach cotton twill or Tyvek® slings to the bottom of the trays<br />
for lifting them from the box.<br />
• Do not overstuff storage boxes, as this can damage the garments.<br />
Ideally, clothing should be<br />
stored flat. If they are strong<br />
enough to hang safely, hang<br />
clothes on thick hangers<br />
with rounded muslincovered<br />
polyester batting.
Keeping Clothes Fresh and Clean in Storage<br />
• Always keep the storage area clean and free from insects.<br />
• Do not use mothballs inside storage containers; the chemicals from mothballs get into the<br />
clothing and it is difficult to remove them.<br />
• Do not use perfumes or other sweet-scented aromas to freshen the clothes in storage;<br />
some of them may stain the clothes and can attract insects.<br />
• To keep clothes fresh, place a small amount of baking soda in a small breathable (woven)<br />
nylon sack where you’re storing the clothing. Avoid loosely woven sack material that will<br />
allow baking soda to leak onto the clothing.<br />
Storage Environment<br />
• Keep all synthetic clothing in total darkness.<br />
• Store all synthetic fabrics in cool temperatures, especially rayon which may fall apart at<br />
high temperatures.<br />
• Keep items out of damp basements and away from hot radiators.<br />
Hang garments in breathable<br />
cotton wardrobes.
Sources of Materials<br />
1) Gaylord Brothers - gaylord.com or (800) 926-9580<br />
2) Talas - talasonline.com or (212) 219-0770<br />
This project is made possible by a grant from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services.<br />
Written by:<br />
Ebenezer Kotei<br />
Museum Conservator<br />
Hagley Museum and Library<br />
P. O. Box 3630<br />
Wilmington, DE 19807-0630<br />
(302) 658-2400<br />
www.<strong>hagley</strong>.org